The accident with two security guards of Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) should not have any financial consequences for the Ministry of the Interior: according to the ministry, the damage was settled at 500 euros. The FPÖ has doubts about the extent of the damage in the so-called Cobra affair.
Two Cobra agents responsible for protecting the chancellor are said to have taken their company car into use in the spring after a drink with the chancellor’s family. They had touched parked vehicles while parking and caused physical damage. The two are now back on duty at their regular office. They are still subject to disciplinary proceedings.
The Public Prosecution Service (StA) Korneuburg has also launched an investigation into “at least one person known by name” in the Cobra affair. In an anonymous letter, allegations were made that Nehammer could have intervened to cover up what happened, which the chancellor himself repeatedly dismissed as false. The investigation is still ongoing, the prosecutor said.
“Camouflage and Deception Maneuvers”
According to FPÖ security spokesman Hannes Amesbauer, the ministry’s statements are “the brutal continuation of the chancellor couple’s camouflage and deception maneuvers” surrounding the accident. “From what you hear about this crash, the damage must be much higher than the €500 claimed. But maybe that’s just the towing fee to the junkyard,” he said. Parked cars were also reported to have been damaged. Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) has likely concealed the costs and crucial information about whether taxpayers should pay for it.
In total, the insurance loss in the Ministry of the Interior this year amounted to 22,019 euros, there have been 30 accidents. This resulted in a parliamentary reaction to the FPÖ. Self-inflicted accidents caused by ministry vehicles caused costs of €5,623 this year and €16,396 caused by third parties. Vehicles of the state police are not included.
Crash with Kogler car
Incidentally, after the Cobra affair, another car from the government fleet also caused an accident: an e-company car of GroenLinks leader Werner Kogler caused parking damage at the beginning of April – without the vice chancellor on board. However, the driver was sober, it was said at the time. “The claim is currently being processed by the insurance company, so the exact extent of the damage is not yet known,” said the Kogler department’s response, with only one incident reported this year.
Source: Krone
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